Plus One, Tompkins partner on autonomous picking robot

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Plus One Robotics and Tompkins Robotics are creating a robotic picking solution. | Source: Tompkins Robotics

Plus One Robotics and Tompkins Robotics announced a partnership to combine Plus One’s 3D and artificial intelligence (AI) software and Tompkins’ tSort system. The result will be a flexible automated picking robot.

“Joining tSort with Plus One’s induction robots is marrying two innovative and cutting-edge robotics solutions that offer end customers expedited and accurate parcel and unit sortation,” Mike Futch, president and CEO of Tompkins, said. “The combined system will provide for greater flexibility not only in warehouses, but in distribution centers as well as restocking in stores.”

The combination of the two companies’ technologies will result in an accurate picking robot that can quickly classify new package shapes and types. The robot will eventually be deployed in e-commerce fulfillment and distribution centers. 

Plus One’s product portfolio includes PickOne, a 3D and AI-powered vision software that works with any robot, gripper and cloud service, and Yonder, remote supervisor software for robotics applications. PickOne is used in a variety of applications, including mixed parcel induction, case transfer and packing, mixed depalletizing, segmented tote picking and high speed singulation of bags. 

Tompkins’ tSort is a unit and parcel sortation system. It involves a fleet of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that sort a range of items to consolidation points. The system is easy to scale by simply adding more robots. 

“We are thrilled to be combining Plus One’s 3D and AI software with Tompkins cutting-edge robots,” Brent Barcey, vice president business development for Plus One Robotics, said. “Supply chains and warehouses are stretched now more than ever with higher demands for faster material processing and the constant challenge of manpower shortages. This partnership will allow us to deploy scalable solutions for customers looking for significant reductions in operating times and costs.”

Last year, Plus One brought in $33 million in Series B funding, bringing the total the company has raised since its founding to $44 million. Its software has been used by other companies, like FANUC and FedEx. Tompkins also has partnerships with companies within the industry, like GreyOrange.